Residents of Godagari in Rajshahi held a human chain protest on Saturday, March 28, 2026, demanding the cancellation of prepaid electricity meters and withdrawal of what they described as excessive billing by the Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO). The demonstration took place at the Dyingpara roundabout, organized by the Godagari Citizens’ Rights Protection Committee, with participation from people of various professions who expressed anger and hardship over the issue.

Participants wore white cloths on their heads as a symbol of protest and displayed banners appealing to the Prime Minister to accept their demands. Speakers alleged that NESCO was forcibly installing prepaid meters and charging up to three times the normal electricity cost, pushing many into financial distress. They said the new system had made regular electricity use unaffordable for many households.

Protesters called for an immediate halt to the prepaid meter installation and the withdrawal of the additional charges. They warned of tougher programs if their demands were not met and sought the Prime Minister’s direct intervention.

At an Independence Day shadow parliament debate held at the FDC in Dhaka on Saturday, National Press Club President and poet Hasan Hafiz stated that the Awami League did not achieve independence alone and that the problems began when Liberation War credentials were commercialized after independence. He accused the party of severely politicizing the spirit of the Liberation War to maintain power, turning genuine freedom fighters into villains and labeling dissenters as anti-independence.

Hafiz called for identifying fake freedom fighters and bringing them under legal action to revoke their illegal benefits. The event, organized by Debate for Democracy, saw Sir Salimullah Medical College defeat Sonargaon University in the competition on the spirit of the Liberation War. Judges included academics and journalists, and participants received trophies, crests, and certificates.

Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said in his speech that the struggle for liberation is not over and must continue until a just and discrimination-free society is achieved, noting that the full benefits of independence have yet to be realized.

BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is visiting the party’s central office at Naya Paltan for the first time since assuming office. Extensive preparations have been made for his arrival, with heightened security measures in and around the area since Saturday afternoon. Additional CCTV cameras have been installed, barricades set up around the main gate, and law enforcement personnel have been on alert since morning. Traffic movement on the VIP road near Naya Paltan has been suspended.

BNP leaders and activists, along with members of affiliated organizations, began gathering in front of the office from early morning to welcome their party chief. The area has become lively with small processions and chants as supporters wait eagerly to meet him. According to the BNP media cell, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi completed all necessary preparations for the visit.

Earlier, on December 29, Tarique Rahman visited the BNP central office for the first time after returning to the country nearly two decades later, when a large crowd of supporters also gathered to greet him.

Language movement veteran, freedom fighter, and twice-elected member of parliament for reserved seats Amena Ahmed passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11 a.m. while undergoing treatment at Evergreen Hospital in Dhaka. She was a key organizer during Bangladesh’s Liberation War and a prominent political figure associated with the National Awami Party (NAP).

Various political parties and organizations, including NAP, the Communist Party, and the Student Union, expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to her bereaved family. She is survived by her only daughter, Ivy Rahman, president of the NAP Central Executive Committee, along with political colleagues and well-wishers.

Amena Ahmed was the wife of late Professor Muzaffar Ahmed, former NAP chief and adviser to the wartime provisional government. She was an active participant in the 1952 Language Movement while studying at Eden College, later serving as vice president of the Eden College Students’ Union. She served as a reserved-seat MP from 2009 to 2014 and held senior leadership roles within NAP until her death.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the country has invited the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt to attend a meeting in Islamabad on March 29 and 30. In a statement posted on X, Dar said the participants will hold “deep discussions,” including efforts to ease tensions in the region. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that its foreign minister has already arrived in the Pakistani capital to take part in the talks.

According to the report, Pakistan is seeking to play a mediating role in promoting peace across the region. The country has also proposed hosting a meeting between the United States and Iran, though it remains uncertain whether that will take place. Earlier in the week, Dar mentioned that indirect talks were ongoing through message exchanges facilitated by Pakistan.

The report also noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump shared a screenshot of a post by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Truth Social, in which Sharif stated that Pakistan was “ready” to host such discussions.

The parliamentary committee has formed a three-member investigation team to look into the sound system failure that disrupted the opening session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament. The committee was instructed to submit its report by April 3, 2026, determining whether the incident involved sabotage. The decision was made during a committee meeting on Saturday, and Chief Whip Nurul Islam briefed reporters afterward.

The malfunction occurred on March 12, 2026, during the first day of the new parliament’s session, forcing a temporary suspension. The following day, Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury expressed frustration over the issue. Chief Whip Nurul Islam said the investigation, led by the Sergeant-at-Arms, would examine both possible sabotage and technical faults, with experts from BUET assisting. He also criticized the large headphones used in parliament, saying they would be replaced.

The meeting also discussed housing and medical facilities for MPs. The Chief Whip said all members would receive housing, with ministers and senior officials having separate residences. The committee plans to meet again on March 30, 2026.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the Bangladesh Police are not satisfied with their current uniform and that discussions are underway at the highest level of government to decide on restoring one of the force’s traditional attires. He made the remarks on Saturday, March 28, during the passing-out parade of the 43rd BCS Police batch at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi.

The minister emphasized that the police are not a partisan force but should serve as friends of the people. He said the government aims to make the police a modern, service-oriented, and humane institution free from political influence. As part of broader democratic reforms, a Police Reform Commission has been established to ensure the force remains independent of political interference.

A total of 72 assistant superintendents of police from the 43rd BCS batch completed their training and will now join service, according to the minister’s remarks at the event.

In Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj, local authorities have begun enforcing a new directive that prohibits the sale of fuel to motorcyclists lacking valid documents or helmets. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon at Messrs. Suman Filling Station in Kansat, led by Executive Magistrate Toufiq Aziz. With police assistance, officials verified each motorcycle’s registration, driving license, and helmet before allowing fuel distribution. Riders without proper documentation were turned away.

Several customers welcomed the initiative, saying it would help restore discipline on roads and reduce the movement of illegal vehicles. They also noted that maintaining the rule permanently could prevent fuel wastage and positively impact national revenue.

Executive Magistrate Toufiq Aziz stated that the directive has been implemented across all petrol pumps under district administration orders. He emphasized that such drives will continue regularly to ensure road safety and law enforcement compliance, urging all pump owners to strictly follow the instructions.

In Gaibandha’s Phulchhari upazila, the banned Awami League has reportedly continued organizing political programs despite restrictions on its activities. On March 26, the party observed Independence Day in Erendabari Union under the leadership of mid-level leader Popel Ahmed. The event was attended by Phulchhari Upazila Awami League president and former upazila chairman GM Selim Parvez, along with leaders and activists from various affiliated organizations.

Local police sources said the officer-in-charge of Phulchhari Police Station, Durul Huda, was on leave at the time. Acting officer SI Abdul Kaiyum stated he would investigate the matter and report to his superior. Opposition figures criticized the incident, with BNP’s Phulchhari unit general secretary Abdus Salam asserting that a banned party cannot hold such programs, while Jamaat-e-Islami’s upazila chief Sirajul Islam called it a failure of law enforcement and demanded action.

Reports indicate that the banned Awami League had previously organized events on February 21 and March 25, raising further questions about the implementation of the ban.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the police are not a partisan force but should serve as friends of the people. He emphasized that the government aims to make the police a modern, service-oriented, and humane institution free from political influence. The minister made these remarks on Saturday morning at the passing-out parade of the 43rd BCS Police Batch at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi.

He said that as part of democratic reforms, a Police Reform Commission has been established to keep the force free from political interference, and its benefits will soon be visible. Addressing the new officers, the minister urged them to serve the public, uphold justice, and instill fear in criminals while ensuring peace for the innocent. He added that the government is following a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and encouraged officers to gain advanced technical knowledge to combat digital crimes.

The event underscored the government’s broader agenda to modernize law enforcement and strengthen public trust in policing.

U.S. President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the ongoing war with Iran, marking their first direct contact since the conflict began. According to a New York Times report citing unnamed U.S. officials, billionaire Elon Musk also participated in the call, which took place on Tuesday, March 24.

The report noted that the inclusion of a private individual like Musk in such a sensitive discussion between two heads of government was highly unusual. The White House described the conversation as productive. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi share a strong relationship and that the discussion was constructive.

The call occurred amid escalating tensions following multiple attacks in the region, including strikes on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility and missile attacks affecting industrial areas in the United Arab Emirates.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed at 19 fuel depots across nine districts to prevent unauthorized hoarding and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. The deployment was announced on Saturday morning through a press release signed by BGB’s public relations officer Md. Shariful Islam. The move follows instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to the statement, the deployment comes amid a global rise in fuel prices and supply concerns triggered by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Authorities have observed attempts to hoard fuel illegally, prompting the government to take preventive measures. The BGB operation aims to maintain discipline in fuel marketing and safeguard depot security.

The BGB headquarters is overseeing the deployment under a structured plan. Temporary base camps have been set up in secure locations to facilitate duties at remote depots. The 19 depots are located in Dhaka, Kurigram, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Sunamganj districts.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep sorrow and condolence over the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of National Parliament Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram. According to a statement issued on Saturday, Dilara Hafiz passed away in Singapore on March 28 at 1:30 p.m. local time while undergoing medical treatment.

In his condolence message, Dr. Rahman conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family and recalled Dilara Hafiz’s contributions to her family and society. He prayed for the departed soul’s eternal peace and for strength and patience for the grieving family to bear the loss.

The statement was released following the news of her passing, marking an expression of solidarity and respect from the opposition leader toward the Speaker’s family.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of National Parliament Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmed. According to BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, she passed away at 1:30 p.m. local time in Singapore while undergoing treatment. Her body is expected to be brought back to Bangladesh tomorrow evening.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni also conveyed condolences. In their messages, they prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family, relatives, admirers, and well-wishers.

Funeral prayers will be held on March 30 at 11 a.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and after the noon prayer in front of the central mosque at the cantonment. She will be buried at the Banani Military Cemetery. Dilara Hafiz had been under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka before being flown to Singapore on Eid-ul-Fitr day.

US President Donald Trump expressed anger toward NATO for not standing by the United States a month after the start of the Iran war. Speaking at an investment forum in Miami, Florida, Trump said that since NATO countries did not help the US against Iran, America might no longer need to stand by its allies. He questioned why the US should continue supporting partners who did not reciprocate during the conflict.

The United States, along with Israel, decided to launch attacks on Iran late last month without consulting European allies. Many NATO leaders opposed the strikes. According to a source, the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier is expected to be deployed near the conflict zone, though it remains unclear whether it will join or replace existing US carriers in the area. Additionally, more than a thousand troops are being deployed.

The remarks highlight growing tension between Washington and NATO members over military cooperation and strategic alignment following the Iran conflict.